Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

FORD, Frankie

(b Vincent Francis Guzzo, 4 August 1939, Gretna LA; d 28 September 2015) R&B singer, a white teenager selected by New Orleans Ace label for Elvis Presley/ Ricky Nelson-type stardom. 'Sea Cruise' was an existing track by Huey 'Piano' Smith and the Clowns; Bobby Marchan's vocal was removed and Ford's substituted: the record made pop no. 14, R&B no. 11 '59. He never made the top 20 again but continued recording with greats like Smith and Red Tyler; his single 'Roberta' was covered by the Animals a few years later. He owned a club in New Orleans and appeared in a biopic of Alan Freed; he toured Europe and the USA '80s, pleasing enthusiasts of vintage R&B.